title: Isotropic photo-decomposition of spherical organic polymers on rutile TiO₂(110) surfaces.
abstract: We observed the photo-decomposition process of polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres on a rutile TiO₂(110) single crystal surface by using atomic force microscopy. During the decomposition process, both the height and width of the PSL spheres linearly decreased with the irradiation time in a similar way from the beginning, suggesting that the PSL spheres are isotropically decomposed. This indicates that the interface between the PSL spheres and the TiO₂ surface is not a dominant reaction site, as expected from normal photocatalytic reactions.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Nanocharacterization Center, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan. ISHIDA.Nobuyuki@nims.go.jp
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Tamaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fujita
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008863:Microspheres; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D011137:Polystyrenes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C009495:titanium dioxide; C024075:styrofoam; D014025:Titanium; C011934:mica